Queen’s birthday honours Gold Coast 2021: Full list of winners
Some of the Gold Coast’s most famous residents, as well as unsung heroes, have been given gongs in the annual Queen’s birthday honours list. SEE FULL LIST OF WINNERS
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SOME of the Gold Coast’s most famous residents, as well as unsung heroes, have been given gongs in the annual Queen’s birthday honours list.
TONY COCHRANE
HE has rubbed shoulders with the Rolling Stones and was a driving force in getting the V8 Supercars established in Australia but Gold Coast stalwart Tony Cochrane’s two proudest achievements are literally worlds apart.
The entertainment legend and Gold Coast Suns chairman Mr Cochrane has been honoured by being made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the latest Queens Birthday celebrations.
In a short time the Supercars Hall of Fame inductee has packed in a lot.
One of the biggest event promoters in the country Mr Cochrane was instrumental in getting the Rolling Stones to tour Australia, and a backer for stars like John Farnham and Olivia Newton-John, as well as late stars Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. Cochrane also oversaw musicals and other theatre productions.
In 2003 he was the producer of the musical Hairspray which won Best Broadway Musical at the Tony Awards.
“I am super proud I won a Tony on Broadway – very few Australians have achieved that,” he said.
Mr Cochrane’s other cherished highlight of his career has taken place much closer to home.
“The enormous amount of work that I’ve done with the Gold Coast Suns and developing AFL not only on the Gold Coast but in Queensland more generally has been a terrific part of my life and I really thoroughly enjoyed it,” he said.
“I really thoroughly enjoyed working with a lot of brilliant people there and in the AFL generally.”
As well as his extensive work in the entertainment and sporting industry across the nation, Mr Cochrane has been instrumental in shaping the Gold Coast.
He was part of the bid to bring the 2018 Commonwealth Games to Australia, been instrumental in bringing events to the city and during the Covid pandemic was ready to offer help and advice to keep the city going.
He also has a close relationship with Mayor Tom Tate.
Mr Cochrane is nowhere near done and his focus at the moment is on helping the tourism, entertainment and sporting industries recover from the pandemic.
“We have a few things bubbling away and we will try and get those projects up,” he said.
“We have one in particular in mind for that city that we are excited to try and land.
“Who knows where you go from here but hopefully onwards and upwards.”
Mr Cochrane did say he would be “very disappointed” if the restrictions continued until 2022.
“We should all be unselfish and all agree to be vaccinated,” he said.
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“If you don’t want to be vaccinated for yourself, be vaccinated for all those people around you who are still looking for a job and trying to get their industries back up.”
Mr Cochrane did have one simple message: “You can do it all from the Gold Coast if you put your heart into it.”
SOHEIL ABEDIAN
SOHEIL Abedian has created some of the Gold Coast’s most famous building, including the iconic Q1.
Yet the leading property developer says the greatest legacy he will leave behind is helping to fund the education of the next generation.
The Sunland Group founder has been named a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for his “significant service to the community, and to the property development sector”.
Mr Abedian, a philanthropist, said he was honoured to receive the award.
“To receive this was a huge surprise but I am particularly happy to be able to use my work and trade as an architect and developer to do what I do for the hundreds of children who wanted to have a higher education.” he said.
“An important concept in the fabric of Australian society is multiculturalism and, when you see an immigrant receive such a high honour, you can believe that what we stand for is the truth of who we are as a young nation.
“It is an honour not just for me as a person but for all the immigrants who have come to this country and made a small step for the betterment of it.”
Mr Abedian was born in Iran and educated in Austria where he studied architecture.
He arrived on the Gold Coast in the early 1980s and founded Sunland in 1983.
Initially building residential homes, the company went on to create some of the Gold Coast’s most famous projects.
Sunland rapidly became one of the city’s foremost property developers.
Among the highlights are Palazzo Versace at The Spit, The Grand at Labrador, Broadbeach’s Aria, Palm Beach’s Magnoli and the under-construction The Lanes at Mermaid Waters.
Mr Abedian’s crowning achievement as a developer was creating Surfers Paradise’s Q1 which became the world’s tallest residential tower when it was completed in late 2005.
Sunland, under his direction, also built D1 and Palazzo Versace in Dubai as well as Brisbane’s Abian tower.
He has also established, the Abedian Foundation as part of his charitable and philanthropic efforts, which have included supporting the Baha’i Faith community, Currumbin Wildlife Hospital and the Gold Coast’s Annual Mayoress Ball.
It is the latest in a stream of awards and honours he has received in recent years including two honorary doctorates from Bond and Griffith universities and the keys to the city.
Mr Abedian said his contributions to the development industry were just one of his achievements with his greatest pride reserved for funding university scholarships allowing students to complete their education.
“My wife Anne and I are really keen to continue supporting the scholarships for many people who would not otherwise have the opportunity to make this country a better place to live every day,” he said.
“It is humbling to be among such individuals and I want to give back to the country as much as I can.”
Mr Abedian will receive the award later this year in a ceremony at Government House.
CRAIG PHILLIPS
A BOARD member overseeing one of the biggest events ever held on the Gold Coast says being made a Member of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honour “represents a whole lot of hard work for a lot of people”.
Commonwealth Games Australia CEO Craig Phillips said it was a “wonderful honour” and he was grateful.
Mr Phillips was honoured for significant service to high-profile sporting organisations: “I was with the Australian Olympic Committee for 24.5 years and nine years I was CEO.
“I had the opportunity of being a member of 12 Olympic teams. I have been fortunate to be around some of Australia’s most iconic athletes. It was special to be able to work and support them,” Mr Phillips said.
He took on the Games CEO job in 2015 knowing the next one was on the Gold Coast.
“The 2018 games were a lot of firsts,” Mr Philips said.
“It was the first time we had an equal number of events for men and women.
“There was an increased size of the para-sport program and we introduced the reconciliation action program.
“They were the main exciting and pleasing aspects of what those games brought.
“I was very fortunate to be given the opportunity in the 90s to be a part of the Olym-pics team,” he said. “ Did I plan to be doing what I am doing? No. But I am very grateful I got the opportunity to do it.”
Mr Philips said the honour was a recognition for his family standing by him.
“There were times where I was absent working overseas, so this is something special for my family. You don’t do it for the awards but when they do come along it matters a lot.”
ALAN THOMAS
One of the Gold Coast’s main commentator’s says the Queens Birthday Honour was thanks to his family morals.
Academy for Young Race Callers founder Alan Thomas said he hopes the award will show his granddaughter what it means to have values and morals.
“The honour is a representation of what the Thomas family has been for a long time,” he said.
“My mother and father taught me to have values and work hard and be thoughtful of your fellow man.”
The former race caller on Sky Network, Channel 9 and Various Venues Mr Thomas was chosen for the honour for his service to horse racing.
“I've mentored and spent time with young callers to make them as good as they can be,” he said.
“I have always given my time to the industry.”
KOBE STEELE
A TRUE lover of animals and in particular orang-utans thanks her late daughter for the ultimate drive to keep fighting for what she believes in.
Orang-utan Foundation International Australian founder Kobe Steele said she lost her daughter in 2008, which led her to a journey on self-discovery.
“My daughter who was the love of my life was travelling when she was 25 years old and in Amsterdam and she was killed,” she said.
“Being my only child, I fell to pieces and my life stopped.
“A dear friend of mine took me to Borneo and said Orang-utan’s would change my life.
“I fell so deeply in-love with them.
“And when I came back home I stopped grieving and found purpose in my life again,” Ms Steele said.
Her Queens Birthday honour was thanks to her service to conservation and the environment.
“Im amazed, humbled and thrilled and absolutely shocked really,” Ms Steele said.
“You know what makes me so happy it I am hoping it will get more awareness for the orang-utan’s in Borneo,” she said.
KENNETH CLARK
GOLD Coast volunteer legend was called on the Queens Birthday Honour list for his service to surf lifesaving and to the community.
Father of two and member of many clubs Kenneth Clark said “my hair stood up on the back of my neck when I heard the news”.
He said he was most proud of his volunteering work at Surf Life Saving.
“You don’t volunteer for recognition but it’s nice when you do get recognised,” Mr Clarke said.
He said he inherited his passion from his father who was a Victorian firefighter for 40+ years.
“I do it because I enjoy it and because it builds your family,” Mr Clarke said.
“Both of my sons have become life savers.
“The people you volunteer with become your family,” he said.
Recently Mr Clark was appointed a life member of Surf Life Saving Queensland.
CORNELIA BABBAGE
Arundel QLD 4214
FOR service to the multicultural community of the Gold Coast
Ms Babbage was the manager for the domestic violence service for Fairfield Migrant Resource Centre and president for three years at the Domestic Violence Prevention Centre.
ARTHUR COGHLAND
FOR service to the performing arts as a magician and escapologist
Mr Coghland has been a magician and escapologist for more than 60 years and fundraised for charities including Lions, Rotary and blue Nurses.
He was recognised in 2007 when he received the Silver Cuffs Award and early won the Special Award, as a Pioneer of Modern Magic and the Greatest Escape Artist Australia has ever known in 1994.
SANDRA ROSE DOUMANY
Sanctuary Cove QLD 4212
FOR service to the community of the Gold Coast
Ms Doumany, former president and vice-president of the Rotary Club of Hope Island also was a member of the Gold Coast North Shore Branch of Liberal Party of Australia.
GARY EDWIN
FOR service to golf
Mr Edwin founded the Gary Edwin Gold Pty Ltd and the Gary Edwin Gold Academy in Singapore. He also lectures at Griffith University and holds a Gold Management Degree
He was recognised as the Australian Teaching Professional of the Year in 2006.
VICTOR GREGORY KNOWLES
Mudgeeraba QLD 4213
FOR service to music, and to the community of Mudgeeraba
Mr Knowles former sublieutenant in the Royal Australian Navy in 1978 was also the Fleet Band officer and music director of the Victoria navy band from 1978-1985. He was recognised with a Defence Force Service Medal with Third Clasp and a National Medal in 2005.
THE LATE WILLIAM RAINSFORD LOUGHLAND
Formerly Paradise Point QLD 4216
FOR service to agriculture and to the law.
Mr Loughland was the Inaugural Director of The Wetlands and Grasslands Foundation in 2000. He was also the chairman of partners at Thynne and Macartney in 2012-2017. He was recognised as a supporter of the Gallipoli medical research foundation.
BRENLY MCMILLAN MILSOM
Palm Beach QLD 4221
FOR service to the community of the Gold Coast
Mobility Scooter Hire project Director of the Mr Milsom also works as a child safeguarding officer at the Burleigh Heads Catholic Parish. He held many positions in the Catholic Parish over the years as well as organising fundraising events acting as Fundraising Chairman.
CYNTHIA MUNRO
Currumbin QLD 4223
FOR service to veterans and their families.
Currumbin Palm beach sub-brand President of Womens Auxiliary Ms Munro was clocked as a life member at the Currumbin Palm Beach RSL. She was a former president of the Palm Beach Currumbin Sub-Branch of the Lioness club.
RAYLEE ANNETTE TAYLOR
Helensvale QLD 4212
FOR service to community health.
Ms Taylor was a member for the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention from 1995-2017 and worked with Queensland Health on the Strategy for Prevention of Youth Suicide. She was recognised with the Gold FM Community service award and the Premiers Award for Queensland Seniors.
FRANK RONALD TUDBALL
Elanora QLD 4221
FOR service to tennis.
Mr Tudball was president of the Miami Tennis Club on and off from 1979-2000. He also won an Australian sports medal in 2000 and was named a life member of the club in 1985.
ALICE MARY WALTERS
Currumbin Waters QLD 4223
FOR service to the community through choral music.
FaSoLaTi Community Choir Co-founder Ms Walters volunteers her time to schools across Brisbane and Gold Coast as a Pianist and choir instructor. She was also the Gold Coast Little Theatre musical director for 20 years and the Sing Australia musical director from 2005-2011.
MARAGARET ISABELL WHITTAKER
Burleigh Waters QLD 4220
FOR service to the community of the Gold Coast.
Ms Whittaker was the former lieutenant-Govener at the 30th District at Quota International. She was a former president, secretary and committee member at Quota International Gold Coast and a member since 1969.
MIEKE BRANDON
FOR significant service to dispute resolution and mediation.
Mr Brandon was the director for Resolution Institute for five years and holds his membership there currently. Mr Brandon published six books under relationship mediations with his first one released in 2001. He won the Project Award, Australian Disputes Centre in 2017.
PROFESSOR CHRISTOPHER BERNARD DEL MAR
Robina QLD 4226
FOR significant service to tertiary education, to health and medical research, and to professional bodies.
Bond University Public Health, Faculty of Health science and Medicine professor Del Mar also was a member of the health care committee and many other research faculty. He has held 20 positions at the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and was awarded the Bridges-Webb Medla in 2014.
PROFESSOR ALAN MACKAY-SIM
FOR significant service to tertiary education and to biomedical science.
Griffith University School of Environment and science Professor Mackay-Sim was a key member in the National Centre for Adult Stem Cell Research and NeuroBank.
DR CHARLES JOHN STEADMAN
Gold Coast QLD 4211
FOR significant service to tertiary medical education and to gastroenterology.
Dr Steadman was an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Queensland Medical School from 2001-2010. He also was a visiting medical officer in the department of Gastroenterology at Princess Alexandra Hospital.
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